CPU vs CPU
Core Ultra 5 225 vs Core i5-14400
The Core Ultra 5 225 is 8% faster in games but costs $303 more for the whole platform (processor, board, 32GB of memory and a cooler if needed). For value, the Core i5-14400 is the pick; pay up only for a high-refresh monitor or a very fast graphics card.
Key facts· updated
- The Core Ultra 5 225 scores 62.5 and the Core i5-14400 scores 58 for 1080p gaming in the Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, Oct 2026 (RTX 5090, fastest chip = 100).
- The Core Ultra 5 225 is 8% faster in games than the Core i5-14400 (Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, Oct 2026).
- The Core Ultra 5 225 costs $218 and the Core i5-14400 costs $208 (PC Atlas price check, Nov 3, 2026; catalog estimates, not live store prices).
- With the cheapest compatible board and 32GB of memory, it's $827 for the Core Ultra 5 225 platform vs $524 for the Core i5-14400 platform (PC Atlas price check, Nov 3, 2026; catalog estimates, not live store prices).
- The Core Ultra 5 225 uses LGA1851 and the Core i5-14400 uses LGA1700, so they need different motherboards.
| Spec | Core Ultra 5 225 | Core i5-14400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score (1080p) | 62.5 | 58 |
| Price today | $218Sample | $208Sample |
| Platform cost today | $827Sample | $524Sample |
| Cores | 10 | 10 |
| Gaming power (approx.) | ~121 W | ~148 W |
| Socket | LGA1851 | LGA1700 |
| Memory | DDR5 | DDR4/DDR5 |
| Cooler in the box | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in graphics | Yes | Yes |
Gaming score: Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, “Gaming CPU Benchmarks Rankings 2026” (Oct 2026; 1080p, mix of High and Ultra settings, geometric mean of 17 games, relative to the Ryzen 7 9850X3D (= 100); NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition). Specs from maker pages (checked 2026-10-29). Platform cost = processor + cheapest compatible board + cheapest 32GB kit. Highlighted = better. Prices last checked ; Sample = PC Atlas catalog estimate, not a live store price.
Questions
Is the Core Ultra 5 225 better than the Core i5-14400 for gaming?
The Core Ultra 5 225 is 8% faster in games but costs $303 more for the whole platform (processor, board, 32GB of memory and a cooler if needed). For value, the Core i5-14400 is the pick; pay up only for a high-refresh monitor or a very fast graphics card.
How much faster is the Core Ultra 5 225 in games?
8% in the Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy (Oct 2026): a 1080p gaming score of 62.5 vs 58, tested with an RTX 5090 so the processor is the limit. At 1440p and 4K with a mid-range card the gap shrinks, often to nothing.
What does each one cost with a motherboard and memory?
Core Ultra 5 225: about $827 with the MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi (mATX) and G.Skill Flare X5 32GB (2x16) DDR5-6000 CL30. Core i5-14400: about $524 with the MSI PRO H610M-G DDR4 (mATX) and TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB 32GB (2x16) DDR4-3200 CL16.
Can I upgrade the Core Ultra 5 225 or Core i5-14400 later?
LGA1851: Core Ultra 200S Plus is the newest chip for it; Intel hasn't announced more. LGA1700: end of the line. Intel's newer chips use LGA1851.